Geek Squad

Dukesdad

Dukesdad

Well-Known Member
Anyone ever have Geek Squad from the Best Buy in California Md. do any work for them?
My parents bought a HD TV from Best Buy and had Geek squad install it yesterday. I was out of town so couldn't be there. They paid several hundred dollars for the installation when they bought the TV but by the time Geek Squad was done yesterday, they were out about three hundred more; a hundred and some for "calibrating the TV" and one sixty five more for an additional cable. They had already purchased a monster HDMI cable so I'm not sure what they bought.
Both parents are in their 70s and not very technologically savvy and I'm afraid they were taken advantage of.
I'm going down later to look over what was done and wanted to hear fom others who had used Geek squad as to how it went...
 
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Dukesdad

Dukesdad

Well-Known Member
Patch Tuesday said:
Most geeks could do all that stuff themselves, but to answer your question it's probably all legit...

The calibration was probably getting the black/grey/color levels correct for the set using a specialized DVD most likely. You can buy those DVD programs online...

Monster cables are where they make their money. I didn't have time to order my last one online and it cost me $140. They're half that much online...

If they wall mounted the unit, there's a lot of specialized stuff they can sell them. The mount, flat cables, and other stuff such as miniature surge protectors or power conditioners...

This whole conversation really revolves around how much was the TV? If you blow $4k on a set, don't complain about the little stuff to optimize and protect it. Kinda like buying a Lexus, and then complaining about the cost of the floor mats...

:popcorn:
Click to expand...

They had bought the mount and monster cable with the tv and were told the cost of installation covered everthing they needed...
 
Dukesdad

Dukesdad

Well-Known Member
Patch Tuesday said:
Think this over. A DVD player will need it's own HDMI cable. The Directv or cable box comes with one, but they're really cheapos, so you need another one. Any other toys might require yet another one...

Get the picture?

:popcorn:
Click to expand...

Got the picture. Thanks for your input

Have you ever had them do anything for you?
 
kwillia

kwillia

n/a
You mean when I finally break down and spend a bizillion dollars on a HDTV I can't just bring the sucker home, take it out of the box, plug it in and whalla...:mad: WTF. :mad:
 
Dukesdad

Dukesdad

Well-Known Member
kwillia said:
You mean when I finally break down and spend a bizillion dollars on a HDTV I can't just bring the sucker home, take it out of the box, plug it in and whalla...:mad: WTF. :mad:
Click to expand...

They wanted it wall mounted and it was easier not to argue with them about who mounted it. We had it hooked up and they watched it for a week or so before Geek Squad came out.
 
kwillia

kwillia

n/a
Patch Tuesday said:
If you plug an expensive HDTV directly into the wall, you be a dumb-azz...

You should be using a power conditioner, but please buy it online for 1/3 the price before getting the TV...

:popcorn:
Click to expand...

Wow. Thanks for the heads up. I'm hoping I can get the stuff from the same place I get my monitor toner and screen white-out. :smile:
 
Kerad

Kerad

New Member
FYI, you don't need to buy the high priced Monster-type HDMI cables. One brand's as good as another when it comes to HDMI. I bought some $9.99 GE cables from Target when I got my Hi-Def. :yay:

As long as the cable isn't damaged and the signal is getting through, there isn't any noticeable difference.
 
basher

basher

LEET
Patch Tuesday said:
To the person that gave me:

12-31-2007 03:10 PM so a $100 charge seems practical for you, best buy paid $10 for that DVD one time and are making a killing off it. Just wrong.

More bad news...

Your auto mechanic paid $4 for his wrench that he's charging you over and over to use on your car...

:jameo:
Click to expand...

what's a good brand, any power conditioners for less than $100? Right now I'm using an $80 surge protector, and have noticed problems lately on my lcd tv.
 
BadGirl

BadGirl

I am so very blessed
Patch Tuesday said:
The Directv or cable box comes with one, but they're really cheapos, so you need another one.
Click to expand...

Actually if you did your research you'd know you'd be wrong..

After side by side testing NO expert was able to tell the difference between a $140 MonsterCable and a $12 internet special cable.

So them selling you a $140 - 200 cable is in itself a rip-off.

But you probably rent your cables so nothing lost for you.


ITSBOB....
 
E

ewashkow

New Member
Dukesdad said:
Anyone ever have Geek Squad from the Best Buy in California Md. do any work for them?
My parents bought a HD TV from Best Buy and had Geek squad install it yesterday. I was out of town so couldn't be there. They paid several hundred dollars for the installation when they bought the TV but by the time Geek Squad was done yesterday, they were out about three hundred more; a hundred and some for "calibrating the TV" and one sixty five more for an additional cable. They had already purchased a monster HDMI cable so I'm not sure what they bought.
Both parents are in their 70s and not very technologically savvy and I'm afraid they were taken advantage of.
I'm going down later to look over what was done and wanted to hear fom others who had used Geek squad as to how it went...
Click to expand...
I don't like using Geek Squad. I only use them when I absolutely have to. The last time I used them, it was because my one piece of my wireless internet connection stuff had somehow copied itself onto the other piece.

When I called the hotline to make the appointment, I was told the cost for someone to come out and fix my problem would be no more than $80. When the guy came to fix it, he said the charge was $160 and that I must have heard wrong.

I know what I heard. Anyone who knows me, knows one of the things I pay very close attention to is where my money is going.
 
Mikeinsmd

Mikeinsmd

New Member
BadGirl said:
Actually if you did your research you'd know you'd be wrong..

After side by side testing NO expert was able to tell the difference between a $140 MonsterCable and a $12 internet special cable.

So them selling you a $140 - 200 cable is in itself a rip-off.

But you probably rent your cables so nothing lost for you.

ITSBOB....
Click to expand...
As an electrician, I know cables. As long as they meet the standards for their rated transmission rates, copper is copper. Pekohertz, baud rate, Cat. 6, sheilded, etc.... In other words, Giant brand equivalent to excedrin has the same ingredients but at 1/3 the price.
 
Bustem' Down

Bustem' Down

Give Peas a Chance
Mikeinsmd said:
As an electrician, I know cables. As long as they meet the standards for their rated transmission rates, copper is copper. Pekohertz, baud rate, Cat. 6, sheilded, etc.... In other words, Giant brand equivalent to excedrin has the same ingredients but at 1/3 the price.
Click to expand...

:yeahthat: but some people need that designer name tag.
 
C

czygvtwkr

Guest
I actually design cables, connections, power filters etc and I think Best Buy will rip you off. Its funny how a power filter (made in low quantities specifically for military/aviation use only) that will filter out EMI that is strong enough to make you go sterile costs less than what people are putting on their flat panel televisions (made for general purpose in the millions).
 
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